Plein Air Basics Course

Learn the the essentials of plein air painting. We're going to assume you already know how to paint, mix colors, etc., but we'll also assume you have no experience in painting outdoors, which requires different practices and disciplines from painting in the studio. This will be a soup-to-nuts basics course, so you'll be ready to paint on location with us the rest of the week.

Cost: $99 in addition to your Plein Air Convention registration.

Click here to register for the Plein Air Convention and Basics Course.
This event is for registered attendees only.

We will have more announcements coming soon for the 2014 Agenda.

2013 Agenda and Lineup of Plein Air Basic’s Course Instructors:

April 10, 2013

7:00 a.m. Early Registration

8:00 a.m. Plein Air Basics Course Begins

8:00-8:15 a.m. Opening

B. Eric Rhoads, Publisher

M. Stephen Doherty, Editor

8:15-9:15 a.m.

Becky Joy

Gear and Preparation: What You Need and Don’t Need for Plein Air Painting.

We’ll review different types of easels and materials, and cover the little tips that will make painting outdoors easier. What you’ll face in the field, and more.

9:15-10:15 a.m.

Thomas Jefferson Kitts

Painting Basics and Your Outdoor Palette

The Essential Plein Air Palette: Though we assume you have some experience with painting, Thomas will talk about the colors you need on your outdoor palette, why you don’t want too many, and how you can use color itself to depict the effects of natural light. He will also share how to see and mix color using the direct wet-into-wet painting technique known as the alla prima method.

10:15- 11:15 a.m.

Lori Putnam

Starting Your Painting: Composition

Starting Your Painting: Composition: The foundation of a great painting starts with a great composition. You have a beautiful scene in front of you but which part do you pick to paint. You may want to put it all in. This session focuses on how to pick your subject and how to great a great composition, composition balance techniques, and more, plus building the bones and the shapes you need to begin.which includes techniques on drawing the eye, resting the eye, creating energy with angles, pulling the eye to the places you want it in the painting, balance, and shape and form creation.

Exploring the Basics

Before you decide your direction, you may wish to try different materials. We have instructors set up to show you the basics of watercolor, pastel, and oils.

11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.